Rail joint



Dec. 30, 1930. R.. T. .scHoLEs 15781090 RAIL JOINT Filed Aug. 5, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2l l a a @y b/afdfo/@S v @Maat/' V Zij Patented Dec. 30, 1930 RICHARD T. SCHOLES, YOIF HINSDALE, ILLINOIS RAIL JOINT Application filed August 5, 1929. Serial No. 383,719.

rlhis invention relates to-certain new and useful improvements in rail joints adapted for connecting `the adjacent ends of a pair of rails which are positioned in'alignment to form a portion of a railway track.

The general object of this invention is to provide a new form of rail joint that will have approximately the same strength and'rigidity as a section of the undivided rail. The best joints heretofore in use have been found to have only a fraction of the strength of the rail itself, the joint being the weak spot in the track. The principal feature of this invention is the employment of a deep and comparatively heavy channel section which encloses the lower portions ofthe abutting rails and extends a substantial distance along the rails. The end portions of the rails rest upon the base of the channel, and the side flanges of the channel extend up at the sides of the rails so that binding `or wedging means may be interposed between the side flanges ofthe channel and the sides of the rails, and tying means pass through the webs of the rails, the binding means and the side flanges of the channel to hold the rails firmly in alignment and anchor them securely in the channel member. Preferably the side flanges of the channel member extend above the neutral axis of the rail so that the binding vand tying means may be positioned substantially symmetrically about the horizontal plane of this neutral axis wherebythe maximum of strength and rigidity of this assembled structure is obtained.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a new and improved rail joint of the type briefly described hereinabove, andV disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide improved means for securing the rails rigidly within the channel section.

Another object is to provide improved means for insulating the respective rails from the members of the rail joints, and from each other.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of certain approved forms of joints involving the prini ciples of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig.'l is a plan view showing al section of trackway including two aligned rails to which the improved joint is applied.

` Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. l. v j y Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section, on a larger scale, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an end view of a modified form of joint, the rail being shown. in transverse vertical section.

Fig. 6 is a plan detail of one end portion of the channel member shown in Fig. 5.

Referringfirst'to the form of the invention shown in Figs. l, 2 3 and 4 of the drawings, the reference characters l and 2 designateV a pair of aligned rails which are supported by a plurality of spaced ties 3, and secured to certain of these ties in any approved manner, as by means of spikes 4. The main channel member 6 is formed with an intermediate base portion 7 adapted to rest upon a pair of adjacent ties and support the end portions of the two rails, and with similar yupwardly extending side flanges 8. The channel member is of suflicient depth to have the flanges 8 extend upwardly beyond the neutral axis of the rail. This channel member 6 is preferably of sufficient size and weight to have approximately the strength and rigidity of a section of one of the undivided rails. In the example here shown a rolled steel channel is used, but this channel might be cast or otherwise formed.V A cast steel channel is shown by way of example in Figs. 5 and 6, hereinafter described. Y

A pair of similar joint bars 9 are positioned one at either side of the aligned rails, these bars preferably being of substantially the same length as channel 6 so as to overlap a considerable portion of each rail. Each joint bar comprises an upwardly and inwardlyA extending flange or arm l() adapted tc fit within the groove formed between the head 11 and web 12 of the rail, and with a similar inwardly and downwardly eXtend ing flange or arm 13 adapted to engage the groove formed between the web 12 and base flange 14 of the rail. Suitable means are interposed between the joint bars and the adjacent side flangesS of the channel member, so as to bind the joint bars firmly in place against the rails. As here shown, a spacerl 15 of any suitable cross section, is interposed between one of the joint bars 9- and the adjacent side flange 8. Instead of the spacer 15, a pair of overlapping` wedge bars 16 and 17 or other equivalent wedging means are interposed between the other joint bar 9 and the other side channel flange 8.

A plurality of similar tie-bolts 19 extend through suitable mating openings or holes Y 2O formed in the web 12 of the rail, the joint bars 9, spacer 15, wedges 16 and 17, and side flanges 8 of the channel member 6. The openings 20 in the overlapping wedges 16 and 17 will be elongated, as shown in Fig.

. 3, so as topermit the necessary longitudinal movement of these wedges. In the eX- ample here shown, there are four of these tie-bolts 19, two of the bolts being passed through each rail 1 and 2fat separate portions spaced from the abuttingends of the rails. Each bolt 19 is formed with a head 21 on one end thereof and a nut 22 is screwed onto the other threaded end 23 of the bolt. As shown in Fig. 1, the bolts are preferably inserted alternately from opposite sides vof the rail sothat the threaded end of one bolt will be adjacent the head 21 on the neXt bolt of the series. Unless the joint is insulated, as hereinafter described, the bolt heads 21 and nuts 22 can be engaged directly with the outer sides of the channel flanges 8.

It will now be apparent that with the parts assembled as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the joint bars 9 may be rmly engaged against the rail sections by driving in the two wedge members 16 and 17 so as to securely wedge all of the Yparts together between the side fianges 8 of the channel, and then tightening the nuts 22 so as to clamp all of the assembled parts firmly together and prevent spreading of the side fianges 8 of the channel member. It will be noted that all of the binding and clamping members are arranged symmetrically about the neutral axis of the rail so that there is no tendency to force the rail upwardly out of the channel 6 and the'parts are all firmly and securely locked inl position.

When block signal systems are used on the tracks, it is sometimes necessary to insulate the adjacent rails 1v and 2 from one another, and the preferred method of insulating this type of joint is shown in Fig. 4. Experience has shown it to be impractical to attempt to insulate the tie bolts 19 from the rails, since cordingly, the bolts 19 are passed freely through holes 26 in the rail webs 12, no attempt being made to prevent electrical contact between the rails and the bolts. Thimbles 27 and 28 of fibre or other suitable insulating material are placed around the portions of bolts 19 ateit-her side of the rail, each thimble being of sufiicient length to eX- tend from the web 12 of the rail through the side flanges 8 of channel member 6. Ob-

viously, when this oint is to be insulated, the

parts are so proportioned and the openings inthe members are of sufficient size to provide clearance for the insulating members. Outer metallic washer plates 24 and inner insulating washer plates 24', both perforated to receive the ends of a pair of adj acent bolts 19, are interposed between. the bolt-heads 21 or nuts 22 and the outer faces of side flanges 8 of the channel member. Also split spring locking washers are preferably positioned between the nuts 22 and the washer plates 24. In this manner, each bolt 19 is completely insulated from the channel member, Vthe spacer members, and the joint bars, although it is not insulated from the rail itself. In addition, suitable sheets 29 of insulating fiber or other insulating material are interposed lbetween the upper arms 10 of the joint bars 9 and the head and web of. the rail, and other sheets of insulation 30 are bent around the base flanges 14 of the` rail so as to separate the lower arms 13 of joint bars 9 from the rail and also insulatethe base flange 14 of the rail from the base 7 of the channel member. It will thus be seenrthat the channel member 6, the joint bars 9 and the spacing members therebetween are completely insulated both from. the rail and from the tie bolts 19. A sheet or block of insulating material 31 will also be interposed between the abutting ends of the two rails.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the channel member 32 maybe either rolled o1' cast, and is provided with upwardly extending side flanges 33 and alsowith outwardly extending flanges or ears 34 which are perforated to receive the spikes 35 means of which the channel is anchored in place on ties 3. The joint bars 9 may be substantially the same as in the first described modification. Instead of the spacer 15 and wedges 16 and 17, suitable spring members are interposed between the joint bars and the adjacent side flanges of the channel. As here shown, a semieelliptical spring 36, of arcuate cross section, is interposed between one bar 9 and the adjacent flange 33, this spring being suitably slotted to permit the passage therethrough of the tie bolts 37. Coi-led. springs 38 are internel posed between the other' tie bar 9 and the adjacent channel flange 33, these coiled springs surrounding the respective tie-bolts 3T. Either the elliptical form of spring or the coiled form of spring could be used at each side of the rail, or only one spring means could be used at one side of the rail and a suitable spacer or filler member interposed at the other side of the rail as shown at vthe left of Fig. 4. The spring` members must be of' sufficient strength to hold the joint bars .firmly clamped against the rails. Each tie bolt 37 is provided with a head 39 on one end, and a nut 40 is threaded on the opposite end .ll of the bolt. ln this form of the invention the channel member may be made narrower so as to bring the side flanges 38 more closely adjacent the rail than in the first described modification.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 could be insulated in practically the same manner as disclosed in Fig. 4.

lt will be noted that in either form of the invention the end portions of the aligned rails are enclosed by a deep and rigid chansection within which the rails are clamped so that the assembly has approximately the strength andy rigidity ot an individual. rail. The parts of the joint are ily assembled and disassembled, and many of the parts are interchangeable and reversible so that repairs and replacements can be readily and economically inade.

l claim:

l. A. rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a. base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and raving side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end port-ions ot the rails and engaged along the respective sides of the rails, adjustable spacing means interposed between the side flanges of the channel and the joint bars, and tying means insertedthrough the rails, joint bars and spacing means.

2. A. rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaged along the respective sides of the rails, adjustable spacing means interposed between the side flanges of the channel and the joint bars, and a plurality of tie-bolts inserted through mating openings in the rails, spacing means and joint bars.

3. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of' the rails, and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaged along the respective sides of the rails, a spacer interposed between one joint bar and the adjacent side flange of the channel, a pair of cooperating wedges interposed between the other joint bar and the other side flange, and tying means secured through the rails andthe side flanges of the channel.

1l. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and having side flanges extending .upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutra-l axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaged along the respective sides of the rails, a spacer interposed between one joint bar and the adjacent side flange of the channel, a pair of cooperating wedges interposed between the other joint bar and the other side flange, and tying means secured through the rails, joint bars, spa-cer, wedges and the side langes of the channel.

5. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyondv the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaged n along the respective sides of the rails, a spacer interposed between one joint bar and the adjacent side flange of the channel, a pair of cooperating wedges interposed between the other joint b ar and the other side flange, and a. plurality of tie-bolts secured through the rails and the side flanges of the channel.

(i. A rail joint comprising arigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and havino; side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaged along the respective sides of the rails, a spacer interposed between one joint bar and the adjacent side flange of the channel, a pair of cooperating wedges interposed between the other joint bar and the other side flange, and a plurality of tie-bolts secured through the rails, joint bars` spacer, wedges and the side 'flanges of the channel.

7. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails, and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaging along the respective sides of the rails, spacing means interposed between the adjacent oint bars and side flanges, a plurality of tie-bolts inserted through mating openings in the rails, spacing means and side flanges, each bolt having a head on one end and the other end .portion being threaded, nuts on the threaded ends of the bolts, thiinbles of insulating material surrounding the bolts .at each side of the rail and extending through the joint bars, spacing means and side flanges, plates of insulating material separating the nuts and bolt heads from the side flanges, insulating sheets interposed between the joint bars and rails and between the rails and the base of the channel, and insulation between the abutting ends of the rails.

8. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to supportthe end portions of the rails, and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the'neutral axis of the rails,- joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaging along the respective sides of the rails, spacing ineans interposed between the adjacent joint bars and side flanges, a plurality of tie-bolts inserted through mating openings in the rails, spacing means and side flanges, bolt zal Shell having a head on one end and the other Dnd portion being threaded, nuts on the threaded ends of the bolts, means for insulating the channel, joint bars and spacing means Ironi the rails and from the tie-bolts, and insulation between the abutting ends of the rails.

9. rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails and having side flanges extending upwardlj)7 at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaging along the respective sides of the rails between the head and base flanges thereof, a spacer interposed between one ofthe joint bars and the adjacent flange of the channel, a pair of overlapping wedge members interposed between the other joint bar and the other flange of the channel, the webs of the rails, the side flanges of the channel, the joint bars and the spacer' being formed with aligned bolt-receiving openings centered in 'the horizontal plane of 'the neutral axis of the rails, the wedges being formed with elongated slots, a plurality of tie-bolts passed through the aligned openings and the slots in the wedges, there being a head formed on one end of e ch bolt and the other end being threaded, and nuts on the threaded ends' of the bolts.

l0. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base `portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails and having side flanges extending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaging along the respective sides of the rails between the head and base flanges thereof, a spacer interposed between one of the oint bars and the adjacentl flange of the channel, a pair of overlapping wedge members interposed between the other joint bar and the other flangeof the channel, the webs of the rails, the side flanges of the channel, the oint bars and the spacer being formed with aligned bolt-receiving openings centered in the horizontal plane of the neutral axis of the rails, the wedges being formed with elongated slots, a plurality of tie-bolts passed through the aligned openings and the slots in the wedges, there a head formed on one end of each bolt and the other end being threaded, nuts on the threaded ends of the bolts, washer-plates interposed between the bolt-heads and nuts and the outer faces of the channel flanges, and means for insulating the channel, joint bars, spacer and wedges from the rails and from the tie-bolts, and insulation between the abutting ends of the rails.

ll. A rail joint comprising a rigid channel section having a base portion adapted to support the end portions of the rails and having side flanges Vextending upwardly at the sides of the rails beyond the neutral axis of the rails, joint bars overlapping the adjacent end portions of the rails and engaging along the respective sides of the rails between the head and base flanges thereof, a spacer interposed between one of the joint bars and the adjacent flange of the channel, a pair of overlapping wedge members interposed between the other joint bar and the other flange of the channel, the webs of the rails, the side flanges 4of the channel, the joint bars and the spacer `being formed with aligned bolt-receiving Vopenings centered in the horizontal plane of the neutral aXis of the rails, the wedges being formed with elongated slots, a plurality of tie-bolts passed through the aligned openings and the slots in the wedges,

`there being a head formed on one end of each bolt and the other end being threaded, nuts on the lthreaded ends of the bolts, washer-plates interposed between the boltheads and nuts and the outer faces of the channel flanges, sheets of insulating material interposed between the rails and the joint bars and between the rail and the base of the channel, thirnbles of insulating material surrounding the bolts at each side of the rail and extending through the oint bars, spacer, wedges and side flanges of the channel, insulating washer plates between the main washer plates and the outer faces of the channel flanges, and insulation between the abutting ends of the rails.

RICHARD T. SCHOLES. 

